Dubai to Johannesburg Flights

  About Dubai

The Las Vegas of the Middle East, Dubai, is the place to go if you are looking for a lavish vacation. The city promises a lavish vacation and is worth every penny spent. The spectacular skylines, the larger-than-life attractions, beaches, and the food in Dubai will only leave you awestruck. Not to mention, Dubai is also a very popular destination for people to go shopping. Be it electronic products, high-end fashion accessories, gold jewellery or the spices, and it is a shopping paradise for everyone. The Dubai Mall is one of the most popular tourist spots in the city and is quite close to the Burj Khalifa, too. It is a well-planned city, and despite embracing modernity, the city has managed to retain its old charm. You can book a hotel in Dubai that is closer to all the tourist spots or something lavish that is a little farther away.

Best Time to Visit Dubai

Dubai experiences very extreme weather. It's difficult to step out when it's hot, and you will want to put on 2-3 layers of clothes when it is cold. November through March is the best time to visit the city since it is winter. The temperature ranges from 13 to 23 degree Celsius. This is peak tourist season, and you must book your hotel in Dubai in advance if you are taking off to the city during this time. It can get a tad bit difficult to get cheap flight tickets to Dubai, too, during this time. The cost does fall considerably by March-end and April. Since November to March is the high season, you will find a lot of tourist spots quite crowded. The nightlife scene in Dubai is also very happening, and the New Year celebrations in the city are grand. This is also when you will find a lot of crowd at Jumeirah beach. Not to mention, you'll reach right in time for the Dubai International Film Festival and the Dubai Shopping Festival.

April to October is summer in Dubai, and it is not the best time to visit the city. The temperature is above 37 degree Celsius, and the heat is simply unbearable. Though you may get a good flight deal to Dubai during this time, it won't be a wise choice since you won't be able to enjoy anything. May and July is Ramadan month, which only leads to a quieter nightlife and lesser hustle-bustle in the city. The scorching heat will make you cancel your plans to venture out and go sightseeing. Even heading to the beach won't help. However, if you are planning a trip to Dubai during this season, make sure you put on sunblock at all times and drink lots of water. The evenings and nights might seem a little pleasant compared to the day, but it is best to avoid travelling to Dubai during the summer. While there is scarce rainfall during summer, the city does not witness a monsoon season. It's only winter and summer here.

Places to Visit in Dubai

The Dubai Mall is one of the most popular places to visit in the city. Not only is it huge, but you can get a lot of high-end fashion brands here. The mall also has a fancy fountain in it which is a popular spot in the mall to take pictures. But make sure Dubai Mall is last on your itinerary because you will definitely want to swipe your credit card a lot at the mall here. The Burj Khalifa is an architectural marvel and one of the most popular places in Dubai that you cannot miss. The view from the 124th floor of the Burj Khalifa is unbelievably spectacular. You will have to pay around 125 to 400 AED to get up there, but it is completely worth every penny spent. The Jumeirah beach is yet another popular tourist destination in Dubai. You can book a hotel in Dubai close to Jumeirah Beach and know that you will be well taken care of by the staff. You will absolutely love the sunset view from the beach. The Burj Al Arab is the fourth tallest hotel in the world and is also one of the most expensive 7-star hotels that have the Skyview Bar on the 27ht floor. The exotic hotel offers you the best view of the Palm Jumeirah. Dubai Creek is one romantic destination that you cannot miss at all, though it is open for families and friends as well. You will find a lot of restaurants that have outdoor seating right next to the creek, so you get the best view of the water. You can also go boating here at a minimal price.

Dubai Aquarium at Dubai Mall is a famous place to visit for families and friends. It is exquisite, and you can even go cage snorkelling and shark diving here. Of course, you will have to pay a nominal fee to get in, but it is totally worth it. If Dubai Mall is on your itinerary, make sure you go during the Dubai Shopping Festival. Global Village is a popular tourist attraction in Dubai that is basically a compilation of all countries and cultures of the world. You can shop here, eat here and catch a few entertaining performances here. It happens from November to March every year. Next on your itinerary must be the Dubai Marina. It is an exotic place to visit and has gained popularity for being one of the biggest human-made marinas in the world. It also has a lot of activities in store, so you don't just drop in for some sightseeing and food. You can also head to Ski Dubai or better, book an accommodation at the resort to enjoy the indoor resort that is dedicated to snow. You can also visit the Snow Park here.

Things to do in Dubai

You can hire a car to go sightseeing around the city or just take the metro to get around the city. The metro is a far affordable way to commute within the city. You can have dinner at one of the restaurants at the Dubai Creek. Post dinner, you can just walk around the area and be marvelled at the clean, beautiful streets. The Burj Khalifa is highly recommended, and the view from up top calls for great pictures and a few more followers on social media. It has also proven to be a popular spot where romantic proposals have taken place. You can visit the local markets to buy spices, which is a speciality in Dubai. The city is known for its lavish and exotic nightlife. You can party till wee hours and be assured that you will have a lot of fun. You must also try the Desert Safari, a popular activity taken up by tourists here. Shopping is one of the main highlights of Dubai, and it would be a shame to not visit the Dubai Mall during the shopping festival that happens around January.

Food and Restaurants in Dubai

Dubai is a paradise for food lovers, and the various cuisines will only leave you wanting for more. In case you want to try the speciality of the Middle East instead of settling for Indian or Chinese cuisine, there are quite a few restaurants that you must try. A few popular Middle Eastern cuisines include the Manousheh, Iranian Sangak, Baba Ganoush, Tabbouleh, Chelo Kebab, Fattoush, Falafel, Taboon break, Madrouba and so on. The Local Bites Cafe in Jumeirah is popular for serving Luqaimat, hot dumplings that have a doughnut-like texture. You can head to Ruya to try Turkish cocktails like the Anatolian Fizz. Cafe Bateel is popular for its signature Qahwa and a complimentary Arabic coffee. Aseelah at Radisson Blu is known for serving the best Margoogat, a tomato-based stew rich with special spices.

How to reach Dubai (Transportation)

Dubai International Airport is not very far from the main city. The flight connectivity to Dubai from India is excellent. There are quite a lot of direct flights to Dubai, too, and it only takes 3 to 4 hours to land in Dubai. It is one of the busiest airports in the world for passengers and quite efficient, too. AirArabia, AirIndiaExpress, EmiratesAirline, FlyDubai are some of the airlines that frequently fly to Dubai. The Dubai airport is quite huge, and the Duty-Free stores inside the airport are a treat to all your shopping needs. Getting a taxi from the airport to reach your hotel is not very difficult. Make sure you book your tickets way in advance if you want a good deal on flights to Dubai. The metro is also quite close to the airport, and you can choose to take a metro or a bus instead of a taxi if you don't have a lot of baggage. Connecting flights to Dubai stop at Mangalore, Delhi, Ahmedabad and a couple of other cities. A lot of flights also land in Sharjah instead of Dubai, depending on which airline you choose.

  About Johannesburg

Johannesburg is in South Africa and one of the most diverse cities in the country with about 11 national languages. It is also one of the world's largest cities that is not situated near a river, coastline or lake. The city has a rough history of violence and politics. The locals have suffered racial segregation and political turbulence. Late Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, or Mahatma Gandhi as he is respectfully called, used to work in the city as a lawyer and was also the catalyst in starting a revolution in the city for equal rights. The city has quite a lot of museums, sites that are dedicated to legendary revolutionists like Nelson Mandela, Robert Sobukwe, Walter Sisulu and many more. In fact, Mandela played an important role in the history of South Africa. Not just history but the city is also known for its music, bohemian art and an eclectic dining scene. You can either book a hotel in Johannesburg that is closer to the historical monuments or with a beautiful view of the city, and you will find myriad options if you book it at the right time.

Best Time to Visit Johannesburg

December to February is the high season in Johannesburg, and the temperature ranges from 13 to 25 degree Celsius. Make sure you book a hotel in Johannesburg well in advance since the availability and reasonable prices will be tough at the last moment. It is also quite difficult to get cheap flight tickets to Johannesburg during summer. You will also have to pack your umbrella since it rains in summer here. You can attend events like Johannesburg International Mozart Festival and FNB Dance Umbrella that happen any time between January to March. If you don't mind the scorching heat that comes with an increase in humidity, this is the perfect time to head to Johannesburg. But be prepared to wait in queues at major tourist attractions. If you are a history buff, you will absolutely enjoy your stay in the city.

March to May is autumn season in the city, and it is also an ideal time to head to Johannesburg. You won't have to deal with a hot summer or a cold winter. The weather is quite pleasant, and the temperature ranges from 7 to 24 degree Celsius. The best part about travelling to the city during this season is that there will be fewer tourists. You can book a hotel in Johannesburg at a lower price, and you'll also come across some decent flight deals to Johannesburg in autumn. You can attend events like the FNB Dance Umbrella and Rand Show. If you don't like crowded places, this is the perfect time to visit the city. You can explore it without having to wait in queues at the important monuments and places of historical significance.

Johannesburg experiences winter from June to August. You can find accommodation at affordable rates and cheap flight tickets to Johannesburg in winter. This is a low tourist season for the city, and the temperature ranges from 4 to 19 degree Celsius. The weather is pleasant, and it doesn't rain in the city, which makes it a perfect time to visit Johannesburg. You can attend the Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival in June or the Good Food and Wine Show that happens from July to August. September to November is the spring season, and the weather remains quite pleasant. The temperature ranges from 9 to 24 degree Celsius, and you can attend several events and festivals in the city like FNB Joburg Art Fair, Arts Alive, Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival and Johannesburg Pride. This is also the perfect time to find good flight deals online to Johannesburg, just like in autumn.

Places to Visit in Johannesburg

Market Theatre is a popular place in Johannesburg that showcases the vibrant culture of the city. You will also find book shops, photo galleries and restaurants here to visit after you are done visiting the theatre. South Africa is known for its wildlife, and the Lion Park is an important place to visit. It is an experience that will stay with you forever. Head over to Holy Hill for the most exhilarating view. This is the best place to take pictures. Johannesburg is also home to several histories and art museums. You can visit the Wits Art Museum and the Apartheid Museum to get to know more about the history of the city. SAB is owned by South African Breweries and is located in Newtown. You can opt for a guided tour and know more about the brewery through a 3D movie. You can also go on a beer tasting spree here and binge on some bar snacks. Mandela House is an important tourist attraction that you cannot miss. It used to be the house of Nelson Mandela which has been turned into a museum. You will find a lot of photos and paintings of Mandela and his family.

Take a break from all the sightseeing and head to Zoo Lake. It is surreal and one of the most romantic locations in the city. You can take a dip in the pool, go on a boat ride or take a stroll alongside the river. Mary Fitzgerald Square is named after South Africa's first female unionist. The place also pays tribute to the country's most talented Jazz musicians. If you are a history buff, you must visit Constitution Hill. You will get to witness a magnificent view of the city, and you will also get to know more about this site, which was once a prison. Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela were also held prisoners here. Lindfield Victorian House Museum is a unique site in Johannesburg, and you must take a two-hour tour of the museum. Pilanesberg National Park is the best place to head to if you want to experience wildlife at its best. You will spot a lot of animals like rhinos, elephants, African wild dogs, zebras and so on. You will also find 300 species of birds here.

Things to do in Johannesburg

Sign up for a sightseeing tour of the city to all the historical monuments. Johannesburg has a rich history, even though it is dark and full of struggles. The city has given the world a lot of revolutionary leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. You can visit all of these museums and monuments. You cannot miss experiencing South Africa's wildlife when you are planning a trip here. Johannesburg has national parks and zoos that are worth visiting. You can also opt for a safari ride at Lion Park. Sign up for a food tasting tour of the city to explore it better.

Food and Restaurants in Johannesburg

Johannesburg is one city that welcomes people of other ethnicities also to settle down. You will find a lot of Zimbabwean, Nigerian, Mozambican, Chinese, Indian and Somali cuisines. Some of the local delicacies like pap (boiled corn with mashed potatoes), umleqwa (Xhosa-style chicken stew), samosa (Malay and Indian delicacy) and boerewors, a sausage dish are worth trying. Wombles is a diner that is known for serving the most delicious steaks. If you are on a budget, you can head to Lucky Bean and order the Ostrich burger, springbok pie and Casamance chicken. Ristorante La Trinita is one of the best restaurants to head to for Italian cuisine. You can also try Plaka Restaurant Cresta for authentic Greek food. The Grillhouse Rosebank and The Local Grill are the best restaurants to go to if you want to binge on steak. Mozambique Linksfield serves delectable seafood and Portuguese food. If you want to try some Japanese fusion food with a glass of beer, you must try Urbanology. The Big Mouth serves lip-smacking sushi, grill, seafood and Asian cuisine. Mezepoli Meze and Wine Bar is a Greek restaurant that you will fall in love with instantly. You can also try Quills for authentic European cuisine. While fine dining is an excellent experience here, you can also try the local street food.

How to reach Johannesburg (Transportation)

O. R. Tambo International Airport is the busiest airport in South Africa and is also the main hub for South African Airways. The flight connectivity to Johannesburg from India is excellent. Air Seychelles, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and Emirates Airline have frequent flights to Johannesburg from India with layovers at Mahe Island, Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Dubai. The airport has a lot of car rental services that are available to passengers quite easily. The airport also has premium lounges, shopping areas, restaurants, cafes and a lot more for passengers. If you book at the right time, you might get cheap flight tickets to Johannesburg easily. If you are booking your flight tickets to Johannesburg during the offseason, you might come across some exciting flight deals to Johannesburg online, and you can't miss it. You can either book a hotel in Johannesburg that is closer to the airport or opt for one that is closer to the historical monuments.

  About Dubai Airport

Dubai International Airport serves as the primary airport located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The airport is touted to be one of the world's busiest airport concerning international passenger traffic. Dubai International Airport is the fifth busiest airport in the entire world in terms of passenger traffic. It follows Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and Tokyo Haneda Airport. Dubai Airport also boasts of being the busiest when it comes to operations of Airbus A380 and Boeing 777. The airport is known for its massive capacity. It managed to handle a capacity of 88 million passengers in 2017 as well as 2.65 million tonnes of cargo as well as a registered aircraft movement of 409,493. Much recently, the management also installed a solar system for energy to enhance the functioning of the airport. Dubai International Airport's mission is to reduce the energy consumption to 30 per cent by 2030. Located in the Al Garhoud district, the airport is sprawled across 7,200 acres of land. The airport's Terminal 3 is also known to be the second massive building in the world with respect to floor space.

The airport also caters to the Emirates Airlines with an entire terminal dedicated to its operations. The terminal has three concourses and is shared with flydubai. Emirates hub is recognized as the largest airline hub in the Middle East. The airlines takes care of about 51 per cent of the overall passenger traffic as well as 42 per cent of aircraft movements of the airport. Dubai International Airport has a collective capacity to handle 90 million passengers on a yearly basis. The airport has undergone various upgradations in the years. It is currently aiming to enable a 37 per cent economic contribution from Dubai's aviation sector to further enhance the city's overall GDP.

About Airport Terminals

Dubai International Airport is said to be one of the busiest airports in the world. In fact, the infrastructure is also known to be one of the largest in the world. Dubai International Airport has three terminals, numbered as Terminal 1, 2 and 3. Terminal 3 caters completely to the Emirates airline. Terminal 1 and 3 have been perfectly connected to the common transit area. There is also an airside area reserved for passengers to walk through the two terminals without the necessity of undergoing immigration processes. A shuttle service is also present between the terminals for passengers. The terminal 1 was built originally to accommodate 18 million passengers in a year. However, it was expanded to handle more passenger action. The terminal currently has 28 remote gates, and the airport has undergone quite a few developments too. A fourth terminal is also in works, and the plans to expand Terminal 3 to accommodate more than 90 million a year in the terminal is being aimed. Terminal 3 is partly underground and is exclusively reserved for Emirates airlines. The terminal is also capable of handling the massive Airbus A380. Currently, though, it shares the terminal with Qantas.

About Airport Authority

Dubai Airport is owned by the Government of Dubai and is operated by Dubai Airports Company. It is basically the airport authority handles all the management of the Dubai International Airport but also has shares in the business. They handle Al Maktoum International Airport along with Dubai International Airport. The company came into existence in 2008 with duties to take care of all management activities of the Dubai International Airport, Al Maktoum International Airport and Dubai Cargo Village. Under their administrative power, Dubai Airport has seen a lot of improvement in terms of safety and efficiency of flight and cargo operations. A modular data centre that facilitates accumulating data availability has also been installed at the Dubai International Airport. The airport alone plays a strong role in contributing to the economy of the city of Dubai. The airport authority has further expanded Terminal 3 to make it the second-largest building in the world with respect to floor space. It has been recognized as the largest airport terminal, too, worldwide.

Top airlines flying from Dubai International Airport

Dubai International Airport accommodates a slew of international and domestic airlines. As one of the most important airports in the world, the connectivity of Dubai is excellent with other cities and countries. Not to mention how they also have Emirates, which is one of the biggest and most important airlines available. Along with it, the airport also helps operate some Indian airlines as the demand from some of the Indian cities is quite high. Dubai International Airport has Indian airlines such as Air India, Air India Express, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Vistara, that operate from the city. These airports have direct connections with Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kozhikode, Mangalore, Ahmedabad, Bangalore and more.

Along with some Indian airlines, the Dubai International Airport extensively caters to a plethora of international airport. A majority of the airlines that operate from Dubai Airport cater to various Middle Eastern, African and Central Asian cities. The most prominent airlines that operate from Dubai International Airport include African Express Airways, Air Astana, Air Canada, Air China, Air France, Azerbaijan Airlines, Azur Air, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, Druk Air, EgyptAir, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Finnair, flydubai, Flynas, Gulf Air, Iran Air, Kenya Airways, Lufthansa, Kuwait Airways, Nepal Airlines, Oman Air, Pegasus Airlines, Norwegian Air Shuttle, Saudia, Sichuan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, Ural Airlines and Thai Airways. The airport also caters to reserving terminals for cargo flights. Carriers such as Emirates SkyCargo, Iran Air Cargo, Silk Way Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, FedEx Express, Spice Xpress and UPS Airlines operate from the Dubai Airport.

Facilities at the Dubai International Airport

WiFi - One of the major upgrades of the Dubai International Airport is the installation of a high-speed WiFi system across all terminals. You will need to follow some instructions available at the airport's website.

Currency exchange - You can find many exchange services across the terminals. The foreign exchange bureaus have good deals to help get good exchange rates as well as some more perks where you can reserve the rate and collect the amount later.

Baby care rooms - There are reserved rooms for baby care across all the terminals. You can attend to the child's needs with privacy at the rooms. In fact, you should visit the information desk or ask for help from one of the staff to guide you to the room.

Baggage - The airport has baggage storage facilities in the premise, and you can make use of the same. These services are open at Terminals 1 and 3. You can peruse through the airport's maps that would take you to the storage space.

Prayer rooms - There are Muslim prayer rooms available everywhere at the airport. Signs have been put up that direct you to the rooms.

Smoking lounges - The airport prohibits smoking in public and has reserved smoking lounges for the same. They are comfortable and have been located at various spots in the airport.

Showers - You can refresh yourself with some shower at Terminal 3. The facility is for free, so you can easily avail it.

Medical services - There are medical services and pharmacies available 24/7. You can visit the information desk to ask for help, or you can ask any of the airport staff to direct you to the medical centre. There are buggy ambulances also available at the Dubai International Airport.

Special assistance - The airport provides special assistance for passengers with mobility issues and special needs. For this, you will have to inform the airlines in advance.

How to reach Dubai International Airport

Dubai Metro

There are direct rail links from the Dubai Metro and the Dubai International Airport. A dedicated Red Line is connected directly to Terminal 3 and 1 of the airport. These services are run from 6 AM to 11 PM. The stations are accessible from the arrivals sections of both the terminals. Meanwhile, a Green Line has also been stationed close to the Airport Free Zone. The Terminal 2 and the Green Line is accessed conveniently. Currently, the airport authority is working on the Purple and Blue Lines to construct lines that would further connect the terminals better.

Bus

There are RTA-run Dubai Buses too that directly connect to the main city from the Dubai Airport. You can reach the Dubai International Airport by taking the inter-terminal shuttle bus service. These links operate on a frequent basis and are perfect for passengers who wish to transfer between terminals. A complimentary coach service is also available to reach the Dubai International Airport and is provided by Emirates.

Taxi and rental services

Government-owned and operated Dubai Taxi Agency can be availed to reach the Dubai International Airport. They have 24/7 services which can be found at the arrival terminal. There are counters and booths at the arrivals where you can book your ride to reach the main city of Dubai from the Dubai International Airport.